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A study by Asner, et al, reported in Science yesterday used new satellite reconnaisance techniques to detect smaller, selective cuts in the Amazon forests. The new data indicates that annual cuts are up to twice as large as previously reported. Amazon Stealth Deforestation

Abstract:Amazon deforestation has been measured by remote sensing forthree decades. In comparison, selective logging has been mostlyinvisible to satellites. We developed a large-scale, high-resolution,automated remote-sensing analysis of selective logging in thetop five timber-producing states of the Brazilian Amazon. Loggedareas ranged from 12,075 to 19,823 square kilometers per year(±14%) between 1999 and 2002, equivalent to 60 to 123%of previously reported deforestation area. Up to 1200 squarekilometers per year of logging were observed on conservationlands. Each year, 27 million to 50 million cubic meters of woodwere extracted, and a gross flux of 0.1 billion metric tonsof carbon was destined for release to the atmosphere by logging.